A car was alight on the northern strip of Bourke Street, and a man was shot by police after allegedly stabbing at least three people. A Victoria Police spokesperson told Broadsheet a man was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital under guard in a critical condition.

At the time, the spokesperson advised a "small number of people" had been attacked. On Saturday, the Guardian revealed that Sisto Malaspina, co-owner of Melbourne institution Pellegrini's, had been fatally stabbed. Two other stabbing victims are in hospital.

The Age reports the iconic Bourke Street cafe Malaspina had run with long-time friend and business partner Nino Pangrazio since 1974 is currently closed as staff and customers pay tribute. Flowers adorn the front windows.

Pangrazio told the Age he was shocked by Malaspina's death. “I feel terrible. We’ve been business partners since 1974 and we were friends for 10 years before that," he said. “He was just so happy-go-lucky and always with a smile. We hardly had a cross word in the whole time we worked together. Just devastated.”

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Sisto Malaspina. We will remember him as the warm, smiling face behind Pellegrini’s, a Melbourne coffee institution. Our thoughts are with his family, and the community of staff and patrons at Pellegrini’s. He will be dearly missed. https://t.co/X7oolTd8Qq

Most awful news about a most wonderful man Sisto Malaspina. He enriched Melbourne with his enthusiasm & spirit... Loved sitting at the bar talking about La Marche & the delights of Olive all’Ascolana. To his family & friends, le mie più sentite condoglianze. Addio Sisto pic.twitter.com/P9NTIQsUxm